Review: ‘Garron’, a New CD from Stuart Liddell

It has been a little while since I added to my collection of piping recordings but when I heard that Stuart Liddell had recently released a new CD I just had to buy a copy. I ordered it directly from www.stuartliddell.com and it arrived very quickly. The packaging is excellent with very attractive artwork and it contains a little booklet which lists the tracks and gives some background details on…

Scots Guards KO/ Graeme Johnston/ China Contest

The Army’s Scott McCaskill (pictured) won through to the next round of the Scots Guards KO contest held yesterday at the SG Club, Haymarket, Edinburgh. The large crowd narrowly voted Scott through against his opponent Ross Conner, Campbeltown. Graeme Johnston Contest The West of Scotland Branch of the RSPBA attracted a large entry to their annual juvenile contest held in memory of pipe band stalwart Graeme Johnston. The event was…

New Role for Michael/ Ardmore Cup Details

The RAF Pipe Band Association (RAFPBA) have sent this: We are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Gray [pictured above] as the new Pipe Major for RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums. Michael joins us following a distinguished career which included his position as a Senior Pipe Major at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming. As a former lead instructor at Inchdrewer House, he brings a…

History: Pipe Band Competitions After WW2

We conclude our look at the history of the pipe band movement…. In 1947 the Association decided to take the World Championship away from Cowal. They had had a good offer from Edinburgh City Council who wanted it to be held there to coincide with the new international arts festival. Cowal refused to give up the championship or hand over the trophies. The dispute was long and bitter and involved…

Responses to ‘Judge’s Dilemma at Glenfiddich’ article

Neil Mulvie: ‘I find it difficult not to be impressed by the approach to judging and scrutiny that Norman [Matheson] describes in his letter to Andrew Wright. And I am certain that Andrew would have totally agreed with Norman’s views. ‘Andrew often quoted Andrew MacNeill, saying that he was more comfortable awarding a prize to the piper, ‘who went off the tune rather than one who was never on it…